Thank you for your explicit and detailed observations.  I have 
observations for Ubuntu LTS -- but with much fewer issues when going 
from SL 7 to Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and nothing like using a carryover from a 
Convex machine.  Ubuntu 20.04 LTS respected the non-systems partitions 
(such as /usr/local, /opt, /home and the like) because I did and still 
do partitions for just this "upgrade" purpose.

I also do a "custom" partition scheme, rather than whatever default the 
installer would construct.  My install was from a bootable ISO image on 
a USB "thumb drive" stick, with a backup DVD ISO image (the LTS bootable 
install ISO image would "fit" on a single single-layer DVD).  After the 
initial install and boot, Ubuntu LTS then went to the Internet to get 
the updates.

 From your description below, my personal conclusion is that the distro 
install is "not ready for prime time" for a constrained production 
environment.  Perhaps the AlmaLinux (or Red Hat EL) persons who have 
posted to this list might have some additional comments or observations.

On 5/5/21 1:39 PM, Larry Linder wrote:
> Another linux installation and test.
> 
> AlmaLinux 8.3
> 
> 1. The first thing we noticed is that the displays were backward. 2 is
> on the left 1 is on the right.  It maters because when you use VMware
> and multiple OS - just another pain.
> 
> 2.  When you do an install it all on the right hand monitor and there is
> no way to change it unless you interchange monitor cables.
> 
> 3.  The network connection, setting up root, and a user was good.
> 
> 4.  We do not use lvm and our setup is a carryover from my Convex Super
> Computer day.  Use the Custom button and then done and you should be
> able to setup your file system in a minute.
> This turned out to be the most convoluted exercise I have experienced in
> a long time.  The OS is installed on a SSD and the other three disks are
> to be mounted but not formatted to preserve the drive contents.
> As it turns out you are flying blind because there is no disk info.  You
> have to go back to your hex calculator - between your ears - and set up
> partition sizes.  Most of the familiar partitions are gone.  The ones
> you want to preserve have odd sdx numbers as in maybe random.  Once this
> was complete - about 8 hr of dinking with it to try and decode the
> scheme.  The we were able to install almaLinux 8.3 full version.   It
> was pretty quick because we were installing from a local disk.
> We rebooted, it got hung up on a usb scanner attached to the system.
> Power down / up and cold boot - like the days of DOS and it finally
> booted up.
> Inspecting the directories we found that several mount points were
> missing and the disks we wanted to mount, no format, to preserve the
> data were empty. This even included the disk that contained the .iso
> file we installed from!  This is really bull shit code.
> How can on take a very simple working function that has worked for 20
> years and basterdize it to the point of being less than worthless.  Does
> anyone check their work - it compiles without errors - ship it - Why do
> you hire minions?
> 
> 5. The next thing was to add users.  This has regressed to a exercise in
> typing skills - hello DOS.  The adduser GUI is for a network and was
> never finished.  Another nice piece of code.
> 
> 6. To be kind to the Gnome desktop - it is another convuleted ugly
> abortion.  To get simple stuff done takes a dozen mouse clicks.  You
> can't easily setup anything.  You are simply using the IBM computer -
> just like "Bill's" computer.
> Late last night I had to quit as my neurons were rebelling and my head
> hurt.
> At this pint we will reformat the disks and start looking for another
> possible Linux.
> 
> 7. In Summary:
> The linux developers have lost their way in the middle of the nigh and
> got a computer confused with -ba ba bh bh - bs etc.
> The cost of installation and ownership is through the roof with a high
> physical effort to do simple stuff.  almaLinux is the same stinking pile
> as RH 8 but with a different name.  Even at no cost it's still too
> expensive and unproductive to use in a business. - every mouse click
> costs.
> 
> We are using SL 6.9 and SL 7.6 because there is no alternative for us so
> far. 7.9 is broken so never upgrade to it your internet goes away.
> 
> The minuans at IBM have spent 10 years and millions destroying a very
> reliable, functional OS.  This may be the last of Linux.  It is no more
> fun - just another pain in the posterior.
> 
> So out all the smoke the only OS that was even comes close to being
> acceptable is MINT.  Don't like their desktop either but at least you
> can find things and it worked - we beat on it for a month and it ran
> VMware, and VariCAD, and others with out a problem.  It also has the bad
> code in the remove program that can wipe you disk.  Not good for a
> server.
> 
> My though in the middle of the night was "Please God have someone fork
> SL 6.5"
> 
> This may be my last post as we are running out of time.
> Thank you for your help in the past.  I will miss you all.
> 
> Regards
> Larry Linder
>